Machine for coiling metal stock



July 23, 1946; J. BALLA, SR 2,404,424

I MACHINE FOR COILING METAL STOCK v Filed July 6, 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet 1July 23, 1946.

J. BALLA, SR

MACHINE FOR COILING METAL STOCK Filed July 6, 1944 8' Shee ts-Sheet 2July 23, 1945.

J. BALLA, SR

MACHINE FOR COILING METAL STOCK Filed July 6, 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 July23, 1946. J. BALLA, SR

7 MACHINE FOR COILING METAL STOCK Filed July 6, 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jit /0.5

July 23,1946. J, B'ALLA, SR 2,404,424 I MACHINE FOR COILING METAL STOCKFiled July 6, 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 dbl? aw sh;

July 23; 1946. J. BALLA, SR

MACHINE FOR COILING METAL STOCK Filed July 6, 1944 a Sheets-Sheet 7 y1946- J. BALLA, sR 2,404,424 A MACHINE FOR COILING' METAL STOCK FiledJuly 6, 1944 a Sheets-Sheet a Ll J \ i H W v 1" a m HI 1: 1

Patented July 23, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 15 Claims.

This invention pertains to a machine for coiling metal stock, and moreparticularly and specifically to a machine for manufacturing coilsprings and spring lock washers.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of such a machinein which the forming of the spring or look washer and the severance fthe stock on the completion of the formation of the spring or washer iscontinuous and uninterrupted enabling the machine to have great capacitywith a resultant decrease in cost of production.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a machinewherein the adjustments or changes incident to enabling the machine tomake springs or lock washers as desired is extremely simple and rapid ofaccomplishment.

Another object of the invention is that of providing a machine which byeasily and rapidly obtainable reversal of the parts enables the machineto make either right or left coiled springs or lock washers.

A still further object is the provision of a machine which is capable ofproducing springs or lock washers of varying diameters and to work metalstock of different cross sectional dimensions.

Other objects, novel features of construction and improved results ofthe machine will appear from the following description when read in thelight of the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying th invention.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the. front or product delivery end of themachine.

' Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 1 lookingin the direction indicated by arrows.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view onthe line 44 of Fig. 1 looking inthe direction indicated by arrows.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectionalview on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2 looking inthe direction indicated by arrows.

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view on the line llJ-l0 of Fig. 2looking in the direction indicated by arrows.

Fig. 11 is a detail perspective view of an element of the clamp D.

Fig. 12 is a front view of the metal stock uide.

Fig. 13 is a front view of the stock guid with the front plate thereofremoved.

Fig. 14 is a detail vertical sectional view through the cam throwadjuster.

Fig. 15 is a horizontal sectional view on the line l5|5 of Fig. 14looking in the direction indicated by arrows.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary detail vertical sectional view on the linel6--I6 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction indicated by arrows.

Fig. 17 is a horizontal section taken on the line l'l-l'! of Fig. 16looking in the direction indicated by arrows. I i

Fig. 18 is a vertical sectional view on the line Ill-I8 of Fig. 5looking in the direction indicated by arrows.

Fig. 19 is a detail view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating the use of aplurality of cutter blades as utilized in the manufacture of lockwashers.

Fig. 20 is a sectional view on the line 2020 of Fig. 19 looking in thedirection indicated by arrows.

-Fig.-2 l is a detail fragmentary vertical sectional view illustratingthe formation of a lock washer.

Fig. 22 is a fragmentary detail view partly in vertical sectionillustrating a modified form of construction suitable for themanufacture of coil springs.

. Fig. 23 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 8 illustratingthe construction of stock guide for stock used in the manufacture oflock washers.

Fig. 24 is a front view of a lock washer as pro-, duced by the machine.

Fig. 25 is an edge view of the same look washer.

Fig. 26 is a side view of'a coil spring as pro-1 duced by the machine.

Fig. 27 is a top .plan view of the machine ape pearing in Fig. 1 of thedrawings.

Fig. 28 is a side view of the standard adjacent the front, end of themachine.

Fig. 29 is a side view of the standard at the rear end of the machine.

Fig. 30 is 'a side view of the standard inter-, mediate the ends of themachine.

Fig. 31 is a side view of a bearing block for the .countershaft. i

Referring now to the drawings andusing like letters and referencenumerals to designate similar parts throughout the description, I is asuita ble base, upon the upper face of which are vertical standards 2, 3and 4 at the front and rear and intermediate the length of the machinerespectively. The specific construction of these standards appears inFigs. 28, 29 and 30 of the drawings.

The main drive shaft 5 is suitably rotatably supported in the standards3 and 4' and suitably connected to any chosen form of power means, notshown, which should be of the type to rotate the shaft 5 in eitherdirection as the direction of rotation for the drive shaft is reversedas the machine is changed from the production of left hand,

coils to right hand coils, as will hereinafter more fully appear.

A feed roller shaft 6 is rotatably supported in the front and rearstandards 2 and 3 respectively and beyond the front face of the standard2 is provided with a stock feed roller 1 having in its face a marginallydisposed, peripheral, annular groove 8 of the proper dimensions andtransverse configuration to engage the circular stock ll of which thecoil springA is to be formed. More detailed description of thisconstruction will hereinafter appear.

A' mandrel carrying rotating shaft 10 is rotatably supported in thestandards 2 and 4. The shaft is supported to permit limited verticalmovement which is accommodated by making the opening ii in the standard'2 of slightly greater diameter than that of the shaft and by providinga universal type bearing 12 in the standard 4.

The bearing l2 permits of a limited universal movement of the shaft Hi.For a considerable portion of its length the shaft is hollow asindicateda't i3 and telescopically receives the shaft portion 5 of themandrel 15. The mandrel is positioned below the stock feed roller 1.

To 'permitinsertion and removal of 'the mandrel and the substitution of,mandrels of different sizes the innermost end of the 'rnan'drelshaf'tH3 is cut away and'flatte'ned as at It. (The mandrel shaft is heldagainst rotation and against longitudinal movement within the shaft inby a clamp, the specific construction of which appears in Figs. 5 and 18of the drawings, from which "it will be seen that there is a fiat plateI1 which is forced in tight clamped engagement with the fiat surface if;by a plurality of set screws [8. This clamp is made as a unit byproviding a s ring band l9, the set screws being threaded in thethickened portion '26 of the'shaft l0.

A shaft 2i is disposed at a slight angle to'the horizontal and issuitably rotatably supported in the standardsf and '4 and carries on itsouter face a forming roll 22 and a stock cutter designated as anentirety at B, the specific construction of which'will behereinafter'given. The support for the outer end of the 'shaft 2| is inthe formjof a iblock. carried bea'ringZS, which block is suitablysecured in the inclined seat 24 of the standard 2. This block at itslower end is pro- 7 vided witha plurality of shims 25 insertable andremovable between the lower end of the block "and the bottom wall orshoulder 26 of the block seat 25 for a purpose which will hereinafterappear.

Anidler roll 2? is carried in a block bearing 28 which is ofsubstantially the same construction as the block '23 ,This block issuitably secured in the seat-2'9 of the standard 2 and at its lower endis provided with shims 35 which are insertable and removable between thelower end of the 4 block and the bottom or vertical shoulder 30' of theseat, the shims being for a purpose. which will hereinafter appear.

The standard 2 is provided with the aforementioned opening H for thepassage of the shaft is and with openings 3| and 32 (see Figure 28). Theopening 3| is for the passage of the shaft 2| while the opening 32 isfor the passage of the shaft 33 which carries the aforementioned idlerroll 2 i. The inner end of the shaft 33 is rotatably supported in thebearing 34. The bearing support for the shaft 33 is such that this shaftis longitudinally reciprocable.

The main drive shaft 5 is provided with gears 35 and St. A counter shaft37 is rotatably supported on the standards 3 and 4. At its inner end itcarries a gear 38 meshing with an intermediate gear 39 on stub shaft 49and provides driving connection with the gear 36 for transmitting rotarymotion to the shaft 3?. Theshaft 3? is provided with a "second gear 43meshing with a gear 41 carried by the stock feeding roller shaft 5. Thisprovides rotary drive for the feed roller i. A third gear 42 on thecounter shaft 31 meshes with a gear 43 carried by the shaft 2| andprovides rotary motion to said shaft.

A cam C carried by a shaft 44 rotatably mounted in bearing carryingstandards 45 and 45 is provided for the purpose of impartingreciprocation to the shaft S3 in 'a'manner which will later appear. Thecam shaft 44 carries a gear 47 meshing with a gear 48 on stub shaft 49provided with a second gear 58 which meshes with the gear 5| carriedadjacent the inner end of the shaft is. This construction impartsrotation to the cam C and shaft I0.

I The connection between the cam C and the idler rloll shaft 33 will nowbe described. A standard 5? .is secured by bolts 53 to the base I (seeFigures 3, 14, 1'5 and 27). pivota'lly secured to the upper end of thestandard and has an end 55 positioned above a camway 56 in the cam. Theend 55 of the arm is cut away as at 51 and in its bottom is providedwith a longitudinal slot 58 for the passage of the upper end of a stubshaft 59 carrying a roller 59 disposed in the camway 56. A nut 5| isdisposed within the cut out portion 51 of the arm and 'provides meansfor adjus'tably securing the stub shaft 59 in adjusted position in theslotted .portion 58 of the arm. The arm end 55 is provided with afitting 62 in its side cooperating with the ball end 63 of a threadedbolt 64 thus providing an universal connection. A similar thread'edbolt'65 is provided and the adjacent threaded ends of the. bolts $4 and 55carry a turn-buckle 66. The b01tj5j5 has universal connection as'at 6'!with the end '68 of an arm 69 the opposite end ll] of which hasoperative connection with the shaft 33 for reciprocating said shaft whenthe mechanism is actuated by the cam. The mechanism just describedprovides all the adjustments necessary to impart varying degrees oflongitudinal movement to the shaft933 in response'to the movement ofthe'cam roller 66 in the camway 56.

The feed roller 1 must be caused to force the metal stock or wire 1iagainst the mandrel with sufficient force to pull the stock through themachine. This means that the feed roller 'must be vertically movable andadjustable. The standard '2 upon its top is provided with spacedvertically extending webs 12 and 13 which form a window 1 5 havingvertical guideways 15 (see Figure '28) in which is slidably mounted abearing block 16 for the front end of the feed roller" shaft A swing arm54 6. A coil spring 11 tends normally tohold this block in an elevatedposition (see Figure 5). The upper end of the window 14' is closed by across head 18 in which is mounted a threaded sleeve 19 provided at thetop and bottom sides of the cross head with nuts 80 and 8|. A cam shaft82 provided with an actuating handle 83 is rotatable within the sleeveand at its lower end below the nut 8| is provided with a cam 84 (seeFigure 2). A cam 85 is opposed to the cam 84 being suitably secured tothe upper face or edge of the bearing block 16. roller 1 is determinedthe nut 8| is properly posiprovided with a handle I03. Theaforementioned Once the proper setting of the feed tionedso that whenthe cam shaft 82 and its cam 84 are rotated into the positionillustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings the metal stock or wire 1| isengaged between the feed roller and the mandrel under the proper forcenecessary to progress the stock through the machine.

By reason of the shaft 6 having the vertical movement described the rearend of the shaft is rotatably supported in the standard 3 by a bearing86 which permits of a limited universal movement.

So that the feed roller 1 may at all times be properly positioned inrespect to the mandrel |5 irrespective of the diameter or crosssectional configuration of. the stock being operated upon provision ismade for longitudinal axial movement and adjustment of the shaft 6. Itis to be understood that when circular stock, such as that used forsprings, of a greater diameter is used, another roller 1 having theproper sized groove 8 will be substituted, likewise this applies to theforming roller 22. When stock of rectangular shape in cross section isbeing worked a plain or flat faced feed roller is substituted, as willappear from the later description of the manufacture of lock washers. Toprovide for longitudinal movement of the shaft 8 a threaded stud 81extends rearwardly from the bearing block 16 and is provided with a yokeblock 88. This block is freely slidable on the stud 81 and is held inadjusted position by nuts 89 and 90. The yoke portion 9| of the yokeblock 88 engages a collar 92 provided on the shaft 6. Loosening of thenut 90 and tightening of the nut 89 will move the shaft 6 and the feedroller 1 to the right as these parts are viewed in Fig. 5 of thedrawings. Movement of the shaft and feed roller in the oppositedirection is attained by rotating the nuts 89 and 99 in the oppositedirection.

The shaft 6, of course, has its end portion mounted for longitudinalmovement as well. as for rotation in the bearing 86. So, too, as shown,the gear 4| is made somewhat wider than the gear 40 with which it is inmesh so as to have ample width of tooth engagement between the two gears40 and 4| at all times.

To put the machine in operation the leading end of the stock must bebent into a semi-circular form and a mechanism for accomplishing this 18provided as a part of the machine. This mechanism appears in Figs. 2 and19 of the drawings and is specifically illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 ofthe drawings. D designates a clamp to prevent longitudinal axialmovement of the stock 1| after the leading end 93 of the stock has beenfed between the rollers 94 and 95 of the stock bender E. The bendercomprises a yoke 96 the arms of which are provided with slots 91 (seeFigure 10) in which are disposed a pair of tubes 98 and 99 within one ofwhich is threadedly secured a shaft I08 carrying intermediate its endsthe aforementioned roller and the shaft having a head at roller 94 iscarried by the bolt I92 and is disposed in the space between thestandard NH and the yoke. The slots 91 permit vertical movement of theroller 95. Set screws I94 limit the upward movement of the roller 95 andprovide means affording adjustment of this roller for operation uponstock of varying dimensions.

.. Having reference to Fig. 2 of the drawings it will be understood thatafter the stock 1| is positioned as illustrated movement of thedepending handle I03 to the left will swing the roller carrying yokeforward and downward and carrying the roller 95 in a circular path willbend the lead end 93 of the stock into the semi-circular shapeillustrated in dotted lines and designated at 93 It is, of course,understood that, during this stock bending operation, the aforesaidclamp D is tightened to hold the stock from endwise movement.

Specifically, the clamp D comprises a block having therein a verticalextending passageway I15, the opposite faces of which are curved. A wiregripper H1 is positioned in said block passageway and is normally urgedinto the position,

illustrated in Figures 2 and 19, by a coil spring I 18. When the gripperis in this position, a jawed opening I19 therein grips the Wire andholds it against longitudinal movement. Movement of the gripper I11 to avertical position by pressure upon its upper end will permit insertionand removal of the wire.

A uide designated as an entirety by F is provided for assuring properalignment of the stock with the feed roll 1. Having referencespecifically to Figs. 6 to 8 inclusive and 12 and 13, it will be seenthat there is a pair of opposed plates I05 and H16 which are of a Ushape in cross sectional configuration to form a rectangularly tubularhousing within which is disposed a pair of guide blocks I01, I88 whichhave cut-out longitudinally grooved portions in their abutting faces, asat W111, and registering with each other to provide an opening of theproper configuration and dimensions to snugly receive the stock 1|. Theblock I08 is secured in position by screws I99. The rear or innermostplate I05 adjacent its ends is provided with rounded protuberances I IIIwhich are disposed withinsuitable rounded bottom depressions HI and 2provided in a carrier plate l3 (see Figure 13). The plate 3 adjacent thestock receiving end of the guide is secured to the tion of bolts uswhich pass through ears I20 provided on the aforementioned rear guideblock carrying plate I05. By tightening down and loosening the bolts 9the guide blocks can be adjusted by a partial lateral swinging orsubstantially, a partial rotation thereof to properly align the stock inthe event the stock is twisted as is often the case as the stock doesnot always come from the source of supply perfectly straight;

IEhe outer plate I06. (see Figures 8, 12, and 23) on its bottom atpoints adjacent its. ends is pro-, vided with downwardly projectingtongues I2.I

which extend through aperturedhorizontally extending. lips I22 carriedbythe bottom of. the inner plate I05. This construction forms a supportfor the outer. plate I05, which plate is further held in thepositionillustrated in Figs. 6 and 8 by a pivotally mounted latch handleI23 which is normally held behind a latch vfinger I24 by the actionof acoil spring I25 (see Figures2, 19 and 27); This latch ,finger ismountedupon and extends forwardly of the top of therearplate I65. Withthe .latch handle I23 in locked position the parts are in. the positionillustrated in full line .in Figs. 6 and, 7. Upon swinging thelatc-hhandle I23 about its pivot I26 to disengage it from its holdingfinger I24 the outer plate can be sw-ung down as illustrated in dottedline in Fig. 6 of the drawings. This makes it possible to insert thestock II and also. to insert substitute guide blocks when stock ofdifferent dimensions -or cross sectional configuration is to be worked.V

At this point attention is directed to Fig.23 (tithe-drawings whichillustrates guide. blocks such as are used when the machine is operatedto manufacture lock washers. In this instance the stock I2?! issubstantially rectangular in cross sectional configuration and guideblocks I28 and -I2-9 ;have been substituted for the guide blocks Hi1 and18 which were used for the circular stock 1! out of which the coilsprings are manufactured.

Description will now be given of the cutter B. This apparatus, seeparticularly Fig. 20 of the drawings, is closely associated with theforming roll 22 and like said roll is carried on the shaft 21. r ThedeViCe comprises a circular plate I 30 which has'an inner face I3I inopposedrelationship to the outer face I32 of the roll 22. The saidouterface of the roll 22 at a plurality of points throughout itsperimeter is provided with slots I33 within which are reciprocablymounted cutter fingersIM with cutting blades I35 which. are at theoutermost ends of the fingers. The

inner face I31 of the plate IE9 is provided with a spiral groove l35,see Figs. 19 and 20, for the reception of lugs l3l carried adjacent theinboard ends I38 of the cutter fingers. It will be obvious that rotationof the plate I39 will cause the cutting fingers I-34 to be projected orretracted in accordance with the direction of rotation of the plate. Thecutting edges I35 of the fingers cut through the stock II while the sameis on the mandrel as clearly appears in Figs. 2 and 19 of the drawings.The fingers areof a length and adjusted so as to extend sufficiently farto completely sever the stock. Once the cutters are properly adjustedthe plate I30 is tightened down by the nut I 38 which not only holds theplate against rotation independently of the shaft 2| but simultaneouslytightly clamps the fingers I34 against the front or outer face I32 ofthe roll 22.

When the machine is being used in the manufacture of coil springs only asingle cutting finger (see Figure 2.) is mounted in the cutter whilefive cutting fingers are mounted in the cutter when the machine isutilized to manufacture lock washers (see Figure 19) as will moreclearly appear in the following description of the mode of oper ation ofthemachine. v 7

It has been mentionedv that-the idler roll 21 is movable longitudinallyof the machine which movement is-eifected by the cam C. This roll 21hests uterre ehem e el eve as a 9 '8 (see Figures 1., 2 and 19) and asthe stock is fed to the mandrel and forced or formed thereagainst by theroller '22 the stock hits this beveled edge I89 and the .position of theidler roll 21 will determine the pitch given to'th'e springconvolutions, as clearly appears in Fig. 1 of the drawings; From thedescription thus far given the operation of the machine in the formationof coil springs will be understandable and said description willdescribe structural features heretofore not mentioned. The constructionof the coil spring A made by the machine appears in Fig. 26 of thedrawings wherein it will be seen that there are a plurality of springconvolutions which are spiral in nature, that is the spring is given apitch so that these convolutions are what are commonly termed, openconvolutes. At each end however the spring coils or convolutes arenested as indicated at M I. That is, two convolutes are in abut:- mentwith one another. The spring is made from circular stock.

The leading end 93 of the stock is bent in the stock bender E in themanner illustrated in the lower left hand corner of Figs. 2 and 19 ofthe drawings. The latch handle I23 is then operated and the parts of theguide swung into the position illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 6 ofthe drawings. The stock is then inserted into the opposed grooves formedin the opposing faces of the the front standard 2.

guide blocks I6? and lilauhile. the curved leading end 93 of the stockis placed about the mandrel. Before the stock is placed about themandrel the mandrel is in a lowered position, beingat this timesupported by the bearing opening II in The mandrel has dropped down tothis supporting position and is not in contact withthe feed roller I. Itis to accommodate this dropping movement of the mandrel that the mandreldrive shaft It is provided with the universal bearing I2 and the openingII in the standard 2 is made larger than the shaft.

With the curved end of the stock in position overrthe mandrel themandrel is lifted into the position illustrated in Fig. 2 of thedrawings with the stock being engaged by the groove 8 of the feed rollerland by the face of the roller 22. It is to be understood that when thestock is being put intothe machine the cam 84 is operatedby its handle83 to the reverse position illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings. Whenthe stock is in place about the mandrel the cam is operated to theposition illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings which causes the stock tobe tightly clamped against the mandrel and will cause the'stock to becontinuously pulled into the machine when power is applied to the powershaft '5, with the mandrel not shown, by which it may be manuallyrotated.

This shaft is provided with a gear I 43 meshing with the main driveshaft carried gear 35.

Upon the power being delivered to the main drive shaft 5 the feed rollerI, or upon operation of said hand operated shaft I42, the mandrel I5,and the form roller 22 with its associated cutter mechanism aresimultaneously rotated. This results in the stock being fed to themandrel and being forced thereagainst and formed thereabout by the formroller 22 The pitch of the 9 spring convolutes is in accord with thesetting of the idler roll 21.

At the same time the aforementioned parts are being rotated so likewiseis the cam C being rotated by the main power means. v ratio for the camand the high spots I44 of the cam are such that the idler roll 21remains in a set position with the roller 60 riding for a considerabletime in the major straight concentric portion of the camway 56 to givethe desired number of convolutions prior to causing the nestingoperation. -When however the cam has revolved to a point so that the camroller 6!! rides up on the high spots I44 of the cam the idler roll isretracted through movement of the arm 54 by reason of its connectionwith the yoke arm 69, as has been explained. This retraction of theidler roll 21 causes nesting of the spring end portions-for the reasonsexplained and the mecha nism has been timed and adjusted so that" thecutter finger I34 engages the stock in the manner illustrated in Figs. 2and 19 and severs the stock.

The speed of rotation of the cam C plus the length of the high spots ofthe cam are such that after severance of the stock occurs nesting iscontinued to give a leading nested end to the stock in the spring.Immediately thereafter the cam causes the idler roll 2! tomove outwardlyto its original position. Thus one cycle of the machine has beencompleted and thereafter the cycle is repeated indefinitely as long asthe machine is maintained in operation and stock is being fedtherethrough.

Each spring formed by the machine will be of 5 the construction shown inFig; 26 of the drawings and will have nested convolutes at each of itsends.

The machine has the decided advantage that the feed of stock will beautomatically stopped should the stock break as it is being bentorformed about the: mandrel. 7 break there would be nothing to cause theleading end of the incoming stock to follow the circular contour of themandrel. The stock on the mandrel in front of the break will bedischarged very quickly from the mandrel and thereupon the mandrel willdrop down moving away from the stock above it which lies under the feedroll 1. Immediately this happens" the feed roll 1 loses The drive Shouldthe stock of the drawings.

the invention.

trat'es the machine in operation for lock washer manufacture, itwill beseen that the cutter assembly B carries five cutting fingers I34. r Theresult of this arrangement is that the stock will i be severed each timeit has been completely coiled once about the mandrel I5. In other words,only one convolution of the stock is made prior .to the severancethereof. I

There is no need for the nesting operation as was the case with coilsprings. Consequently drive connection between the cam C and the idlerroll 21 is broken so that the roll 2'! remains in a fixed position so asto gi've each convolution of the stock the same pitch. I

A modified form of the machine as his utilized for manufacturing springsis illustratedin Fig. 22 The "entire modification resides in the idlerroll construction. In this instance the idler roll appears at I41 and itis not longitudinally movable. The roll is adjustable to any desiredfixed position within reasonable limits by reason of the adjusting'nutI48 which abuts the inner end of the roll shaft I49. The roll shaft isprovided with a bore within which is slidably mounted a shaft I50carrying on its outen end a disc I5I which engages the stock H anddetermines the pitch of the spring convolutions. This shaft at its innerend is provided with a collar I52 to which is connected the yoke end IIIof the arm 69 which is an element in the connection to the cam C."

It will be obvious that this construction operates to accomplish thesame result as thatdescribed in respect'to the preferred form of theinvention in that the cam will move the disc I5I in and out by slidingthe shaft I50 of the disc within the bore of the idler roller shaft. Theidler roller I 41. will serve to support the mandrel just as does theidler roll 21' of the preferred'form of Obviously the machine is notlimited to the manufacture of springs or washers of any single diameterdimension. When it is desired to change its ability to pull additionalstock into the machine. When this occurs it is necessary to restart themachine by re-threading the stock in the manner heretofore describedwherein it has been pointed out that the leading end of the stock mustfirst be bent into the form illustrated at 93? in Figs. 2 and 19 of thedrawings.

The operation in the manufacture of lock washers is identical to thatdescribed in respect to the manufacture of coil springs, with thefollowing exceptions.

The lock washers made by the machine are of the construction illustratedin Figs. 24 and 25 of the drawings from which it will be seen that thestock I21 of which they are composed is substantially rectangular incross sectional configuration, as has been before pointed out inthespecific description of r the stock guide appearing in Fig. 23 of thedrawings. H

By reference to Fig. 21 of the drawings it will be seenthat the feedroller 1 has been replaced by a suitable feed roller I45 which has aplain or flat surface so as to properly engage the flat top I46 of therectangular stock I21.

. Having reference now to Fig. (19 which illus- Iii) the diameter of theproduct the mandrel is changed and description has already been given of.the manner inwhich the mandrels are secured in and removable fromthemandrel driving shaft Ill. As the dimension of the product isincreased or decreased a change in the diameter of the feed roll and theforming roll-22 will .be required, as will be well understood bymechanics and others skilled in this art.

The machine illustrated and described is for the production of what .Ihave termed left hand springs and washers but were it desired to makeright handproducts a certain reversal of parts would be necessaryandprovision has been made) for this, as will now be described.

As has been mentioned, the power means is given a reverse directionofrotation when the machine is to make right hand products. Thecountershaft 31 and its gears are shifted to the opposite side of themachine. To permit this the intermediate standard 4 is provided withbearing block seats similar to those described in respect to the frontstandard 2 which is specifically illustrated in Fig.28 of the drawings.Having reference now to Fig. 30 it will be seen that'the standard 4 hasoppositely arranged bearing block seats I and I6I which are'adapted toreceive the bearing carrying block I62 in the bearing of which isvrotatably supported the inboard end of "lit-'3 when the countershaft isshifted tothe opposite side of the machine (see. Figures 16 and 17).

Having reference now to the front end of the machine and to Fig. 28 ofthe drawings it will be 7 seen that the positions of the forming roll:22 and idl'erroll 21 maybe reversed. The bearing block seats 24' and 29of the standard 2 are designed to interchangeably receive the bearingcarrying blocks 28 of the rolls '22 and 21 respectively. As the stockwill be fed from the opposite side of the machine the stock guide F mustbe moved to the opposite side of themachine. Accordingly the endstandard 21 is provided with identical cppositely positioned boltreceiving. openings Hi1 for the reception of the bolts: which securethestock guide? in place.-..

The standard 2 islikewise provided with'two sets of bolt openings 1:68which: are oppositely positioned so that the 'stock' clamp and bende-riDand E may be shifted fromone. side to the other side of the machine.

'Movi'ng 'the'st'ock guide F' from the: leftto the right side of themachine wili in. no way' interfere .with the proper operation ofi'thisdevice as it is constructed so that stock can be fed equally well ineither direction through it. By reference to Fig. 2 of the drawings itwill be seen that at its 5 inboard end this device is rounded as at I90to overhang the idler roll 21 androunded as at I91 to fit beneath thefeed roll 1. The opposite end of the guide is similarly shaped and Willproperly fit between the feed roll 1 and the'id-ler roll 21 when saidlast named rollis moved to the opposite side of the machine.v

When the forming roller'22' and cutter assembly 1 B are moved to theopposite side of the machine it is necessary to substitute a differentcutter assembly which will be of. similar construction and 1 operationvto that described and specifically illusmg driving connection with saidmain power shaft, said stock feeding roll being above said mandrel andsaid forming and idler rolls being at opposite sides of said'mandrel andin axial planes below the axial planes of said stock feeding roll andsaid mandrel, means associated with said forming rol-l for periodicallysevering said stock adjust ably positionable longitudinally of the onsaid mandrel while the mandrel is being rotated and while the stock isbeing coiled thereabout, means for forcing the outer end of the.

feed roller shaft and the feed roller downwardly under a selected amountof pressure, and means mandrel and engaging the side of the stockthereon and causing the stock to be coiled in opened 7 spirals ofpredetermined pitch.

2. A construction as defined in claim l'wherein, the idler roll isadjustably movable longitudinally of the mandrel and constitutes themeans which gives the stock a spiral winding of predetermined pitch, arotatable cam having therein an endless cam face, drive means betweensaid cam and the main power drive shaft, means 013- eratively connectingthe endless camway of said cam to said idler roll for moving said. rolllongitudinally of the mandrel, and said camway and said. operativeconnection operating to project and retract said idler roll after apredetermined number of spiral convolutions of said stock have beenwound about said mandrel.

3. A construction as defined in claim l wherein, and describing. morespecifically, that the means which is adjustably positionablelongitudinally of the mandrel as comprising the idler roller and thesame as having a marginal annular and peripheral formation which engagesthe side of the stock while it is being coiled on the mandrel andfurther comprising a connection with the shaft of the idler rolle forperiodically reciprocating said shaft to retract said idler roller fromits coil opening position during the end windingv formation of thecoiled stock, holding tra'ted inFig. 20 of the drawing's'with the excep-2 tion that the cutter fingers will incline in the opposite directionand the cutting edge of thefingers will be'rnade to properly engage andsever the stock on the mandrel. The same spiral groove 1 arrangement I36will be provided for projecting and retracting the cutter fingers.

In making the change from a right to a left winding or coiling machinethe connection between the cam C and the idler roller shaft 33 is movedto the opposite side of the machine. To make this possible the base i isprovided at 3 both sides of the machine with openings F69 (see 1 Figure27) for the reception of the bolts 53 which secure the standard 5 2 inposition.

I claim:

tatably mounted in said front and rear standards, the front end of saidstock feed shaft being journaled in a vertically movable support andcarryi-ng a feed roll. a mandrel rotating shaft rotatably 1 mounted thefront and intermediate standards 1 and. being restrictedly verticallymovable in the front standard, a mandrel detachably" connected axiallyto said shaft, a forming roll shaft rotatably mounted in said front andintermediate standards and carrying a forming roll, an idler j rollsh'aftrotatably mounted on said front standard and carrying an'id-lerroll, all of said shafts with the exception of said idler roller shafthavsaid idler roller in its retracted position during the initialwinding of a new cell of stock and returning said idler roller to itscoil opening position duri-ngthe open spiral winding of the new coil.

4. A construction as defined in claim 1 but describing more specificallythat said front and intermediatestandards are reversel-y arranged andprovided to perm-it the mounting thereon or the forming roller and theidler roller and their carrying shafts in reversely interchange-dpositions, with the stock feeding roller and its carrying shaft in itsone position, and said feeding roller and its direction of feedingrotation of the stock can be reversed by a reverse operation of thepower shaft in its one position of mounting and operation.

5. A machine for coiling metal stock comp-rising, a driven rotatablecircular mandrel, a driven stock feeding roll above said mandrel andengaging stock on said mandrel, a driven rotatable form roll at one sideof said mandrel and engaging stock thereof, an idler roll at theopposite side of said mandrel and engaging the side of stock on saidmandrel to cause said stock to be wound about said mandrel spirally andof a predetermined pitch, a cutter associated and rotatable with saidformin roll, said cutter comprising a plate arranged in parallel spaced.relationship to the outer side face of said forming roll, a cutter blademounted'in said space and provided with an extension element, saidcutter plate provided with a spiral groove for the reception '13 of saidcutterblade extension element, and said cutter plate being, rotatablyadjustable to project and retract said cutter blade, for the purposedescribed. V I v v 6; For use with a machine in which metal stock iscoiled spirally about a mandrel, a stock feeding and aligningdevicecomprising, a pair of opposed channeled plates, a guide block ineach of, said plates, said guide blocks having in their opposing facesopposed grooves forming a passageway for snugly receiving the stock, theouter of said plates being quickly detachable from the inner plate toprovide for the insertion of stock into the'pas- 'sageway formed by saidblocks, said plates bei-ng pivotally. mounted for movement in a verticalplane,- and said plates being furthe mounted to permit them to beadjustably rocked in a direction transverse the longitudinal axis of theplates.

7. In combination with a'machine for coiling metal stock for themanufacture of coil springs and lock washers, means for initiallybending the end of the stock into a semi-circle comprising a pair ofrolls adapted to receive the stock between them, one of said rolls beingrotatable on a fixed shaft, the other of said rolls being mounted to beswung concentrically about the fixed roll, means to swing said lastnamed roll as described, and a clamp engaging said stock at a point infront of said rolls to prevent movement of said stock as the end thereofis bent about said fixed roll.

8. An apparatus for the purpose described, comprising, a positivelydriven rotating mandrel about which metal stock is adapted to be wound,a positively driven tock feeding roll above said mandrel and adapted toengage said stock, a positively driven forming roll at one side of saidmandrel for engaging said stock and coiling it about said mandrel, anidler roll at the opposite side of said mandrel and having a beveledannular peripheral edge portion for engaging said stock laterallythereof and causing it to be spirally wound about said mandrel, saididler roll being adjustable longitudinally of its axis and of saidmandrel to and from its coil pitching position whereby to vary the pitchof the spiral into which said stock is coiled, said roll being alsomovable longitudinally of its axis and of said mandrel retractedly fromits adjusted coil pitching position, means automatically andperiodically operated to move said idler roll out of its coil pitchingposition to flatly nest and eliminate pitch to the endmost convolutionof the wound stock, and a stock cutter operating periodically forcutting said stock after a predetermined number of convolutions of thestock have been wound and end formed about said mandrel.

9. A construction as defined in claim 8 and describing more specificallythat the automatically and periodically operated means formoving saididler roll out of. its coil pitching position as comprising a positivelydriven rotatable cam having therein an endless camway and meansconnecting said camway and said idler roll for imparting retractivelongitudinal movement to said idler roll during the end windingformation of the stock as wound on said mandrel 10. A construction asdefined in claim 8 wherein. the positive drive for the mandrel includesarotatable shaft provided with an internal bore, said mandrel extendinginto said bore and having therein a flattened end, a fiat bar withinsaid shaft bore and engaging the flattened end of the mandrel, and meanscarried by the shaft and engaging said bar for forcing the same un- 14.der pressureagainst the mandrel to clamp the sameagainst rotative orlongitudinal movement within the bore, whereby the mandrel is optionallyclampedwithin the bore forrotationwith the, shaft, or removable from thebore for -replacement. ,7 I

11. An apparatus for coiling metal stock comprising, a rotatable mandrelabout which said stock is adapted, to be coiled, a rotatable'stockfeeding roll for engaging said stock against said mandrel, a stock guidefor delivering said stock in proper alignment to said feed roll, arotatable stock forming roll at one side of said mandrel, a commonpow-er drive for'said mandrel and said rolls, an idler roll at one sideof said mandrel oppositely positioned in respect to said forming roll,said idler roll being adjustable longitudinally of its axis andlongitudinally of said mandrel and being formed marginally, annularly,and peripherally, to engage the side of said stock, as it is coiledabout said mandrel, whereby to open the convolutions of the coiled stockat a definitely predetermined pitch, rotatable means having drivingconnection with said main power means and acting to hold said idler rollin a defiinte coil pitching position during formation of the coiledstock and periodically retracting said roll from its coil pitchingposition whereby to flatly nest and eliminate pitch to the endmostconvolution of the wound stock, and a cutter associated with saidforming roll and rotatable therewith, said cutter acting to sever saidstock after a predetermined number of convolutions thereof have beencoiled about said mandrel.

12. A construction as defined in claim 11 wherein, a rotatable cam isprovided and has drive connection with the main power drive, said cambeing provided with an endless camway, a swing arm carrying therein aroller disposed in said camway, and an adjustable connection betweensaid swing arm and said idler roll, whereby said idler roll isperiodically retracted and projected a predetermined distance.

13. An apparatus for coiling metal stock comprising, a rotatable shaftcarrying a mandrel, a rotatable shaft carrying a stock feeding roll, arotatable shaft carrying a stock forming roll positioned at one side ofsaid mandrel, a rotatable shaft carrying an idler roll at the oppositeside of said mandrel, said idler roll adapted to engage the side ofstock as it is coiled about said mandrel, said idler roll shaft beinglongitudil of the forming roll and idler roll and their shafts nallymovable, a cam provided with an endless camway, a connection betweensaid endless camway and said idler roll shaft for periodically 1011-,

a drive connection between the mandrel shaft and said power shaft, adrive connection between the mandrel shaft and said cam, standards forsupporting all of said shafts, said sha-fts at their ends provided withblocks carrying shaft reception bearings, said standards provided withseats for interchangeably receiving the bearing blocks of the formingroll and idler roll, a pair of said standards provided at their oppositesides with seats for bearing carrying blocks for said counter shaftwhereby said shaft may be positioned at either side of said standards,and the positions being interchangeable, for the purpose described. 14.A construction as defined in claim 13 wherein, a stock guide is providedfor guiding the with at least one radial "slot arranged at one side ofsaid mandrel and-engagingstock thereof, an

idler roll at the opposite side of said mandrel and engaging the side ofstock onsaid mandrel to cause said stock to be vvoundabout said man drelspirally. and-ofa. predetermined pitch, a

all-Dam 7 cutter associated and rotatable with said form roll, saidcutter including a rotatable plate having a face thereof provided with aspiral groove, the face of said plate being arranged with respect to theface of said forming roll'so that .the spiral groove in. the face ofsaid plate is complemental tO'the radial slot in the face of saidforming roll, at least-one cutter blade provided withhalug mounted forreciprocal move- .nient within said radial slot, the'lug. of said bladeextending into and being in engagement with said spiral groove, andmeans'for releasably looking said plateto said forming .roll wherebyrotation of said plate causes the projection and re traction of thecutter blade. s p @JQHN VBALLA, Sin

